King James Version

What Does Daniel 11:4 Mean?

Daniel 11:4 in the King James Version says “And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not t... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.

Daniel 11:4 · KJV


Context

2

And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.

3

And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.

4

And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.

5

And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.

6

And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times. join: Heb. associate themselves an: Heb. rights he that begat: or, whom she brought forth


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The prophecy continues: "And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to the dominion which he ruled." This predicts Alexander's empire's immediate fragmentation at his death (323 BC). "Broken" (Hebrew: tishabar, תִּשָּׁבֵר) means shattered or destroyed—not gradual decline but sudden dissolution. The phrase "divided toward the four winds" indicates comprehensive fragmentation in all directions, fulfilled by his generals establishing kingdoms north, south, east, and west.

"Not to his posterity" accurately predicts that Alexander's descendants wouldn't inherit his empire. His half-brother Philip III Arrhidaeus and infant son Alexander IV were nominal rulers but powerless, eventually murdered. His generals (Diadochi) seized power, ending his dynasty almost immediately. This demonstrates human glory's fragility—history's greatest conqueror couldn't ensure his family's succession. "Nor according to the dominion which he ruled" predicts the successor kingdoms wouldn't match his power; indeed, though significant, none approached Alexander's unified empire in strength or extent.

Theologically, this teaches that earthly kingdoms, however impressive, cannot endure apart from God's blessing. Human achievement proves temporary; death ends even greatest conquests. This contrasts with God's kingdom established through Christ—death didn't end but inaugurated His reign, and His kingdom grows eternally. Where Alexander's empire immediately fragmented, Christ's kingdom progressively expands, unified under His eternal headship. Only what God builds endures; human kingdoms rise and fall according to divine purposes.

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Historical & Cultural Context

After Alexander's death in Babylon (323 BC), his empire fragmented during brutal Wars of Succession (322-281 BC). His family was murdered—half-brother executed, mother killed, wives murdered, son assassinated. The four major kingdoms emerged: Ptolemaic Egypt, Seleucid Syria/Mesopotamia, Antigonid Macedonia, and (briefly) Attalid Pergamum. This precise fulfillment of Daniel's 213-year-old prophecy validates Scripture's supernatural origin. The fragmentation also prepared for Roman consolidation, which provided infrastructure for gospel spread, demonstrating God's comprehensive sovereignty over history.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Alexander's inability to secure his posterity's inheritance teach us about human achievement's futility apart from God's blessing?
  2. How does the immediate fragmentation of history's greatest empire warn against false security in earthly power and success?
  3. In what ways does the contrast between Alexander's fragmented empire and Christ's eternally growing kingdom demonstrate different foundations of power?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וּכְעָמְדוֹ֙1 of 19

And when he shall stand up

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

תִּשָּׁבֵ֣ר2 of 19

shall be broken

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

מַלְכוּת֔וֹ3 of 19

for his kingdom

H4438

a rule; concretely, a dominion

וְתֵחָ֕ץ4 of 19

and shall be divided

H2673

to cut or split in two; to halve

לְאַרְבַּ֖ע5 of 19

toward the four

H702

four

רוּח֣וֹת6 of 19

winds

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם7 of 19

of heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְלֹ֣א8 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

לְאַחֲרִית֗וֹ9 of 19

and not to his posterity

H319

the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity

וְלֹ֤א10 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

כְמָשְׁלוֹ֙11 of 19

nor according to his dominion

H4915

empire

אֲשֶׁ֣ר12 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

מָשָׁ֔ל13 of 19

which he ruled

H4910

to rule

כִּ֤י14 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תִנָּתֵשׁ֙15 of 19

shall be plucked up

H5428

to tear away

מַלְכוּת֔וֹ16 of 19

for his kingdom

H4438

a rule; concretely, a dominion

וְלַאֲחֵרִ֖ים17 of 19

even for others

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

מִלְּבַד18 of 19
H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

אֵֽלֶּה׃19 of 19
H428

these or those


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 11:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 11:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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